h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Generally nearly all men are sheep (to stay with the picture). Society as it presently is seems to be founded on influecing others (which is a light form of peer pressure) and on opening oneself to influences. To be part of society means to look towards others. Who is unsure or undecided about a thing looks for guidance to others who have the air of knowing things better. In this way they open up to them. And "them", being asked or looked upon, respond by giving counsels. As with everything human, things quickly develop and some people drift to extremes. Some become wolves and others sheep.
So the question is (not only for wolves and sheep but for everyone): How do I get out of this mechanism. The only answer I know is to become more conscious. Methods are all forms of psychotherapy... though I really doubt their efficency, as they only try to work people into wanting to be more conscious.
But true consciousness usually can only come out of one's own need and effort.
A classical process of becoming conscious in this context is the following:
The first thing is to become aware of being pressed.
Next, one decides wether one likes this or not.
If one does not like it one makes the resolution to change this.
Then one analyses what happens and what might be the results if one said "No".
Then one decides anew wether one submits to the pressure or withstands and conquers one's fears.
Withstanding means to give one's own will precedence over the will of others. And its consequences might be losing some friends who maybe are no real friends. But part of this process is also to develop a power of discernment when to submit for the flowering of the greater whole, when to make contributions in order to change the course of things and when to say "Without me". This is part of the process of becoming an Indiviudual - and only an individual can cope at large with pressure; wolves (who do not know their real and adequate place) and sheep can't.

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